Luis Fabiano has admitted to using his hand in the build-up to scoring "one of the most beautiful goals" in his career in Brazil's 3-1 victory over the Ivory Coast.

The striker ended his 2010 drought with the national team by getting two goals in the Group G match. The win, Brazil's second of World Cup 2010, secured their place in the knockout stage of the tournament.

There was plenty of criticism after the game with Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Ivory Coast manager, accusing the referee, Stephane Lannoy, of handing out a "free goal" to the five-times winners.

The Swede was referring to Fabiano's second goal, five minutes after half-time, when he appeared to twice control the ball with his arm before smashing the ball past Boubacar Barry in the Ivory Coast goal to give Brazil a 2-0 lead.

"Well that is true, it seems as though the ball hit my hand," said Fabiano. "It seems the ball hit my hand and the second time it hit my shoulder.

"But in order to make the goal more beautiful, there had to be a doubtful element. It was a spectacular goal and I believe it was not a voluntary handball. It was a legitimate goal and it was one of the most beautiful goals that I've scored in my career. Where better to score such a goal than at the World Cup?"

The Ivory Coast defender Kolo Touré felt Fabiano's debatable goal was crucial in the context of the game and criticised Lannoy. "The referee asked the player if he had touched the ball. How can a referee ask a player if he committed a foul?" Touré said. "It was an important moment."

"We tried our best in this match but it was always going to be difficult against a team that has won the World Cup five times before and has that experience of always being at the finals."